Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.
-Beautiful Boy
Sometimes I have to laugh at myself.
I tend to be an idea girl. A bit of a dreamer. In fact, my brain often wears me out.
So when I shared with you all that I wanted to start a new segment called “Living Large”, my brain went into action thinking of all sorts of BIG things we could do on a limited budget if we worked hard enough:
Exotic Vacations.
International Vacations.
Cross-country Vacations.
Beach Vacations.
Cruises.
Like I said. I’m a bit of a dreamer.
It wasn’t long, however, before I recognized that old familiar feeling of discontent. Let’s face it. Exotic vacations are not at the top of the list of things to save for right now. I may not be willing to erase them completely from the list–but definitely not at the top.
And then I started to realize how easy it would be for me to be so focused on ‘Living Large’ that I miss what is right in front of my face. Such as:
- Those first wobbling and *very proud* steps taken by my one year old over the past couple of weeks.
- The way my incredibly independent four year old takes great delight in helping Mommy and Daddy (even when we may not need to be helped.)
- The intense pride I felt as my one year old took my hand and bowed his head as we began to pray at dinner time the other night.
- Feeling cherished as my husband 1) let me sleep in this morning and 2) brought me breakfast in bed. And it’s not even my birthday!
- The hundreds of ways we’ve felt welcomed into our new community by our new friends.
Life is a little unsettled for us right now as we continue to transition into a new house, new job, new friends, new budget. It would be easy to allow discontent to creep in and become focused on ways to improve our current situation.
I want to soak up our current situation. I don’t want to become so focused on improving our lives that we miss out on this moment. I want to savor this time that will never come again.
After all, I think living large starts by living small.
**I shared this post as a part of Just for the Joy of It by my friend Sharon at Good, True, and Beautiful.
I really enjoyed reading your post. It made me cry, which is sometimes a good thing. Rasieing four kids can sometimes be so crazy that I forget to see what is right in front of my face. Thanks so much for helping me to remember to stop and Thank God for what I have right beside me, in front of me and all around me, even if it may be slighty dusty, last years model or sticky with handprints. =) Thanks.
[Reply]
Yup. I totally agree. How easy to get distracted by the things that can’t happen / won’t happen, and forget to marvel at the awesomeness that we are surrounded by every day. Living Large!!
Thanks for joining me on this little blogging adventure! It’s fun to be buddies. ~smile~
[Reply]
Kaley,
This is a beautiful post. I love and will commit to memory the sentence, “I want to soak up our current situation.”
Beautiful….
[Reply]
I loved your post! I’ve really taken this idea to heart since you posted your first segment. This last Wednesday, we were all diagnosed with H1N1 (ours kids, age 3 & 1, included) and I was dreading being trapped in the house. But after thinking again about your post, I realized that what we were really being given was a whole week together! With that attitude, we’ve had a blast together, even being sick! Thanks for helping me keep a positive spin on everything!
[Reply]
Thanks, everybody! I am touched by your responses. Let’s keep reminding each other that we need to live small, ok?
[Reply]
So smart. I know I am always battling my nemesis- discontent.
[Reply]
Yup…Living large begins by living in the moment and finding the day-to-day joys.
[Reply]